mjkacmom

The reason is the bigger the dining package, the cheaper each meal is. If they could be shared, I could buy a dining package for 8 nights for myself, and hand them out to my 7 family members, and each would be significantly cheaper than if we paid for each meal oop. So there is no sharing, even if it just 4 dinners. NCL would rather you purchase specialty dining for the 2 who don’t have it than let you share.

They can’t be transferred, you would have to pay for them. 

35 minutes ago, Smitheroo said:

of course that depends on time of year and also itenarary. There would be no sitting out in your pajamas on the cruises I've been on in Fall, Spring and even January to Bermuda.  During the day maybe, but not at night unless you wear a parka

We’ve taken several cruises from nyc to the Bahamas, 3 times in November, once in may, used the balcony a lot. We have a large wrap around porch here at home, if it’s over 60 we are happy to sit out there.

1 hour ago, 9tee2Sea said:

it depends on how many days in ports, AND the sail away times.  If the sail away times are around 5pm every day, i would not go for the balcony.  By the time you get back from shore, freshen up, it's time to have dinner.  Won't be out on balcony until after dark.  If you want a view, go with a cabin with a picture window.  I Have cruised in all types of cabins, inside - suite's.  The sail away times and how many sea days makes my decision.  But I will never sail less than outside with picture window again.

One of my favorite things I use the balcony for it at night, put on my pajamas and sit out there, so peaceful.

50 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

You can bring any mug with you that you'd like, as long as it's empty upon embarkation.  After that, oil it with water, coffee, etc from the buffet spigots.

Actually you need to use a glass to transfer the beverage to the personal mug (there are signs). We do it all of the time.

1 minute ago, Auralee said:

Ohh great idea! I think also with the money we are saving by not buying the package we are going to buy us some big “yeti” tumblers as the drink glasses in buffet are minuscule! 

We always bring yetis for water and coffee.

Husband’s Uber to NJ from LGA was $160 yesterday around noon. 45 minutes, pretty much the same amount of time it would've taken to get to Newark airport.

If it was Presidents’ Day week that is a major school vacation week in the northeast. March is spring break for colleges and some school districts, and then many school districts have a week off in April, especially butting up to Easter.

2 hours ago, Auralee said:

Thank you. We are going to have to re-think this package. (We have fas~ but opted out of the alcoholic drink package as we don’t drink and 700$ each just for the gratuities wasn’t worth it!! ) Approx 300$ each for the Starbucks drink package was a bit more reasonable and sounded fun to try the drinks.. but with limited mobility the idea of standing in line each time seems unreasonable since others with a drink package can just ask any server for a drink!!

The servers run back and forth to the pool bar right there, they don’t have time to go to the atrium to get specialty coffees. It’s bar service.

With your budget I’d try to find a good travel agent. We usually cruise on ncl from manhattan in balconies, about $1000 pp, but we squeeze 7 people into 2 cabins. Sailing locally will save $ on flights and hotels.

8 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

You're just getting extra keys for the rooms. You are not getting keys so the teens can be in a room without someone over 21 years old. Got it?

Well, that’s how it works, NCL suggests booking the cabins this way and guest services is happy to provide those extra keys.

1 hour ago, navybankerteacher said:

That sounds about right for the distance involved: about 15 or so miles from east side Manhattan- but I would think From LGA it would be further.

It’s 22 miles, but traffic can be worse (it’s about an hour right now). It’s funny, EWR is 11 miles, but the traffic tends to be less, there are more ways to get there too.

34 minutes ago, navybankerteacher said:

Not challenging your info, but I am surprised it is so low - Stamford Ct to NYC (a bit under 40 miles) runs about $125.

My daughter recently paid $100 from the east side of manhattan to our home, 10 miles west of nyc, on a Sunday afternoon. My husband is ubering tomorrow around noon home from LGA and the estimate is $100.

I don’t know what port, but while we always get balconies (and are ones who use it a lot, especially with drinks and snacks), sail away is fun up on deck, and you can see both sides.

On cruises, on land vacations, on days we go to the beach, I just throw a swim coverup over my suit, and a pair of flip flops. Guys thrown on a tshirt. I always have a few options. I don’t think I’ve seen many walk around in a bathrobe. You want a snack? Throw on the coverup.

2 hours ago, irun5k said:

Thank you, I watched a couple more videos on Margaritaville and made this realization.  I thought there were more water slides actually... my kids are 9 and 16 so Margaritaville might not offer a lot of bang for our buck especially since we'll be at Coco Cay the day prior enjoying the pool, beach, etc. for free.

 

So I think I'm leaning toward one of my two ways to get to Baha Mar, or perhaps just checking out the new port area and then return to ship.  

Taxi or jitney would be easy, I don’t think you care allowed on the beach if you’re not a guest.

We live in NJ, 10 miles from the MCT. I’d suggest Amtrak (a bit nicer than NJ transit) or driving and parking. I would not suggest a commuter lot for a week. W eve taken car service, and parked at the pier, costs are close but prefer driving in. There is also parking at a ferry terminal in NJ for half the price, and paying to ferry there and back. Driving to the MCT isn't difficult, especially if you take the GWB and drive south, it takes you right to the parking lot.

27 minutes ago, Another_Critic said:

There is also a lot of UK in the boonies.

Yes but since the UK is so much smaller than the US, fewer boonie dwellers.

3 hours ago, Tin can said:

 

I know this is going off topic a bit but I was wondering if US passengers get hassled at Nassau more than English (in my case) as I just don't get the general safety concerns as I certainly have never felt unsafe.

 

I have been all over the States - LA, New York, Chicago, San Francisco to name a few and yes there are a large variety of areas just like the UK. Every time we have been to Nassau though since our first US cruise in 2002 we have met US folks who live in these cities who will not under any circumstances get off at Nassau.

 

Each to their own of course, I just find it strange, and to be honest whilst I know there are some recent specific warnings for Nassau I'm starting to question myself whether I am missing some obvious every day danger there as we always have a great time.

I think a lot of the US is in the boonies, lol. 

You might want to just Uber the whole way ($100?).

Honestly I usually wasn’t able to get a second glass of wine in mdr’s breakaway/gem. Bar service is separate from the servers.

I drink gallons of water every day, bring my yeti on cruises.

52 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

Never seen a "kids meal" being offered or served on the SDP.  So, my guess is "no" as their kitchens are not set up for that.

 

 

Generally speaking, if someone is sitting at a table at a specialty dining restaurant, they should either be covered by a package or be prepared to pay a la carte.  Sharing dinners is not allowed.

 

So, if you want the 12-13 year olds to dine with you at Specialty Restaurants, by them their own SDP package.  Problem solved.

Kids can order from the kids menu at specialty restaurants (Mac and cheese, hot dog), one of my kids chose to as le bistro when she was 10 (her 8 year old brother had multiple plates of escargot). None of my kids would’ve liked the kids menu at 13.

5 hours ago, Tin can said:

 

I know there are some current warnings about Nassau but I think historically it may have suffered a bit from 'chinese whispers' about what lies beyond the port gates.

 

We were in the diamond lounge discussing our plans on our last cruise and mentioned we were going to spend the day at Junkanoo beach and it rapidly turned into a full longe discussion of 'crazy Brit and you can't take your wife and son out there!'.

 

We had a great time, yes I did have to be firm, very firm a couple of times with people but we had a great day.

 

Perhaps our experience being English is different than if we were from the USA and the local touts and people up to no good target you folks more. Either way I have never felt unsafe or hassled in Nassau

 

 

I don’t think it’s being English, as you know the US is huge with a large variety of places to live. I feel safe in Nassau, I live very close to NYC, have been to many US cities, can easily ignore vendors or homeless (I think the term is unhoused now?).Heck even in the boardwalks on the Jersey shore folks are yelling at you. 

32 minutes ago, SoloAlaska said:

All depends on where you’re cruising from. MCT I hear does but I avoid Caribbean cruises as much as possible.

I live about 10 miles from the MCT so it’s where we like to cruise from (also 20 miles from Cape Liberty). I’ve lived here my entire life and it wasn’t until I was pushing 40 that I learned about these ports!